Craig Borland

The property market in Port Bannatyne, and on Bute in general, is on the up, according to one local estate agent.

Fiona Cameron from Bute Property spoke to The Buteman after statistics published by the Halifax revealed that the Port is the most affordable coastal location in Britain in which to buy a home - with an average price of £73,539 last year.

Mrs Cameron said: “The market on Bute is picking up, and Port Bannatyne in particular is doing well - there’s a fabulous community spirit there, and that is helping sell properties for what, in my opinion, are good prices.

“People come here because they want to be part of a community where folk say ‘good morning’ even if they don’t know you, and that’s what Port Bannatyne is all about.”

Nick Merriman, from Manchester, bought a house in Port Bannatyne with his wife five years ago. He said: “As soon as we saw the views up Loch Striven and Loch Riddon we knew we had to buy Inverbroom, particularly when we realised it had a bedroom for each of our four children together with a large garden leading down to the sea.

“The area is lovely: we have a little boat at the Marina and go out to catch mackerel and have a drink afterwards at the Port Inn. The kids go for the curly fries and wings at the Ettrick Bay cafe, and we walk the dog and count the curlews and oystercatchers.

“And it’s so easy to get to, with two regular year round ferry lines.”